The last matchday of the Champions League is over. That is, 16 teams have made sure to qualify for the last 16. As always, the Champions League, the war competitions of the big European teams always present surprises and wonders. As happened at Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, Ukraine Wednesday, December 11 evening or Thursday morning Indonesian time. At Shakhtar Donetsk’s temporary stadium, Atalanta managed to steal 3 points while ensuring a step into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Please note, this season is Atalanta’s inaugural season in the Champions League. That is, the debutant team from the Italian city of Bergamo successfully set a step into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time. Atalanta who appeared as the visitors managed to break Shakhtar’s goal 3 times. Atalanta’s advantage was opened by a goal from Castagne in the 65th minute. This goal was originally not validated because it was considered offside. But thanks to VAR’s help, Castagne’s shot was declared a goal.
Shakhtar had to play with 10 players after Dodo in the red in the 76th minute. The superiority of the number of players was put to good use by the Nerazzurri I players. Mario Pasalic and Robin Gosens added Atalanta’s goals in the 80th minute and the 4th minute of extra time respectively. I Nerazzurri’s victory also cannot be separated from the slick appearance of Pierluigi Gollini under the crossbar.
Atalanta’s break should be celebrated by the Bergamo public and loyal fans. Because, in their first appearance in the Champions League, they successfully advanced to the knockout phase. Though this team had problems at the start of the competition including the inability to use their home stadium for the Champions League competition.
Atalanta escaped after occupying the rank 2 of Group C under Manchester City. Atalanta’s breakout is also thanks to Man’s “help”. City Before the final match of the group phase was held, 3 teams were still likely to qualify from this group to accompany The Citizens. Atalanta can qualify on condition that they have to win from Shakhtar and at the same time, Dinamo Zagreb lost to Man. City
Atalanta’s escape added to represent Italy in the last 16 of the Champions League. Previously, Juventus and Napoli had successfully escaped first. I Nerazzurri’s escape from Bergamo is a substitute for the death of I Nerazzurri from Milan in the Champions League. Yes, Italy has two I Nerazzurri (the black and blues), one Atalanta and one Internazionale Milan. Step Inter unfortunately must be stopped in the group stage, but Inter are safe in third place so they are entitled to get a round of 32 Europa League tickets.
Inter, which is the leading seed in Italy, collapsed after losing the last match of Barcelona at home. Of course their appearance in the Champions League is very different from the slick appearance of Inter in the Italian League. Inter, who temporarily inhabit Capolista, even struggle to face Barcelona and Dortmund in Group F.
In contrast to Inter, Atalanta, which has not been consistent in the league, displays consistency at the end of the Champions League group stages. Even though in the first three matches of the group stage, Atalanta failed to win points. But in the remaining three matches, Atalanta won 1 draw and 2 wins. The seven points he collected were enough to bring Atalanta through to the round of 16.
Internazionale Milan actually also collected 7 points the same as Atalanta. But their points in Group F lost to Barcelona (14 points) and Dortmund (10 points). Let’s wait for what Atalanta will look like in the Champions League knockout phase. Will they make surprises and wonders again? To be sure, they successfully set a record in their first appearance. Reported by OptaPaolo, Atalanta are the first team in Champions League history to qualify for the last 16 after losing in the first 3 matches of the group phase.
Now, Atalanta will again cultivate hopes to go far in the Champions League with the status of the debutant team. At least they will try to match the achievement of Leicester City in the 2016/2017 season which qualified until the last 8.
ASL
